Serum Oxytocin in Cows Is Positively Correlated with Caregiver Interactions in the Impossible Task Paradigm
Authors:
- Biagio D’anielloBiagio D’aniello
- Vincenzo MastelloneVMVincenzo Mastellone
- Claudia PinelliClaudia Pinelli
- Anna ScandurraASAnna Scandurra
- Nadia MuscoNadia Musco
- Raffaella TudiscoRTRaffaella Tudisco
- Maria Elena PeroMPMaria Elena Pero
- Federico InfascelliFederico Infascelli
- Alfredo Di LucreziaALAlfredo Di Lucrezia
- Pietro LombardiPLPietro Lombardi
Open Access
Abstract
This study explored a possible relationship between the circulating oxytocin, cortisol, and the willingness of dairy cows to engage in social behaviors with humans in an experimental context. The behaviors of twenty-nine cows were recorded during the impossible task paradigm, a procedure aimed at creating a violation of expectancy, in the presence of the caregiver and a stranger. The results showed that serum oxytocin levels were positively correlated with duration and negatively correlated with the latency of the cows’ social interactions with the caregiver. This research provides a clear correlation between circulating oxytocin and a willingness to engage in social contact with the caregiver, excluding the possible effect of different cortisol levels on such behavior.Keywords
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